McPherson News for 2/16/25

Hello McPherson Families,

I hope you are all enjoying the long Presidents' Day weekend! This week, Ed Foundation and PTSA's Dad's Club is hosting a movie night! Come watch Back to the Future with friends on Friday night. See the newsletter for more information and the link to preorder food from the Dad's Club. Also, our PTSA is looking for just 9 more memberships to meet our goal of 400 for the year. If you have not joined PTSA yet, please do so! The PTSA is also looking for nominees for the PTSA Board for next school year.

Lastly, please see the letter from our Superintendent, Mike Christensen, regarding federal policy changes that may impact our schools. OUSD and McPherson are committed to protecting the legal rights of all students and to providing a safe, secure, and peaceful learning environment for all. If you have questions or concerns regarding this topic, please reach out to me.

Have a great week Meteors,

Dr. Godsey

Principal

Dear OUSD Families and Staff,

Orange Unified is committed to providing safe, secure, and peaceful schools where our students and staff have the opportunity to learn and grow. Recent changes in federal policy and ongoing discussions about possible immigration enforcement at schools are creating anxiety for many of our mixed-status families and those who care about them. We want to assure our community that we are committed to protecting the legal rights of all students and ensuring that our campuses remain the welcoming and inclusive places our students are entitled to.

In alignment with established law, Board Policies 5145.13 and 5145.3, and guidance from the California State Attorney General (view guidance here), we have developed clear protocols for our school leaders and staff to follow should immigration authorities request access to our schools or student records. Please reach out to your school’s principal if you have any questions or concerns about these protocols.

We want to take this opportunity to provide reassurance to all our families that changes in the federal administration’s policy do not take away students’ federal or state constitutional rights and protections to education. All students have a well-established legal right to education regardless of their family’s immigration status. Our charge is to educate students, and it is a duty we fulfill with honor and empathy, creating the leaders of tomorrow. Additional resources and guidance for families can be found in multiple languages at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources. It is truly an honor to serve all students.

Sincerely,

Michael L. Christensen
Superintendent of Schools
Orange Unified School District

Presidents Day was initially established in 1879 to celebrate the birthday of the nation's first president, George Washington. George Washington, the Founding Father, was born on Feb. 11, 1731. We celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12 to honor the 16th president of the United States. Lincoln is remembered for leading the country through the Civil War, ending slavery, and preserving the Union.

Friday is the big night! The McPherson Education Foundation & PTSA invites you to a FREE outdoor movie event featuring the classic Back to the Future! Bring the whole family for a fun evening.

Don't forget to preorder your meal through the link by Tuesday, February 18 from the McPherson Dad's Club cookout!

Feel free to bring your own chairs, or take advantage of our limited drive-in spots for reservation for the full nostalgic movie going experience.

Date: Friday, February 21st

Time: 5:00 PM PTSA Dad's Club cookout

6:00-8:00 PM Back to the Future movie showing
Location: McPherson School field

Info/Order link: https://mcp-cookout.cheddarup.com

When a group of people get together to work towards a common positive goal, not only the group, but also the school and the whole community benefits. Change starts with every one of us. One person cannot do the work, but when the work is done by a group of people, the weight is lighter and great things can be accomplished.
Please consider nominating someone you know that will be a valuable asset to the PTSA board. Nominee must be a PTSA member. You can also nominate yourself. Without your help, we will not have a completed PTSA board for next year!!

Please fill out this Google Form to nominate yourself, or someone you may know that would like to be part of the McPherson PTSA board. (After reading the PTSA Board Description, you will find the nomination area).

https://tinyurl.com/McP-PTSA-Nominations

Nominations must be submitted by Wednesday, March 12. Elections will take place on Wednesday, April 30 during the PTSA meeting.

Please JOIN the McPherson PTSA today to help us reach our goal of 400 memberships! If we hit our goal there will be a popsicle party for the entire school! WE ONLY NEED 9 MORE MEMBERS!!!!

Your membership fees help support Teacher grants, teacher appreciation week, school activities and much more, click here to renew your membership today - Join McPherson PTSA (jointotem.com)

When you renew, please also update your student's information with CURRENT grade and teacher information - thank you!

🚀

https://jointotem.com/ca/orange/mcpherson-ptsa

Attention McPherson Community. We will be having a College and Career Fair on Friday, April 18 from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. If you would like to be a presenter or a volunteer at the College and Career Fair, please complete the linked survey below at your earliest convenience. You can present or volunteer at the fair for the whole day or part of the day depending on your availability. If you have any questions or can help in any other way, please contact Ms. Keiser at skeiser@orangeusd.org.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/7nB8Bjj73Kkh4AdJ7

JOIN the McPHERSON RUN CLUB!

● Who: Students K – 8

● What: Running, Games, Fun, Community

● When: Wednesdays After School / Feb 5th – April 30th / 12:30 – 1:30pm

● Where: McPherson Field

● Why: Inspire Kids to Fitness! The McPherson Run club will be participating in the Kids Run the OC (KROC) Spring "Marathon" Program. During the 12 week training program, kids will accumulate 25+ miles towards their personal ‘marathon’ through various games and activities with their school’s coaches. Together, they will run the Final Mile Event during OC Marathon weekend and celebrate their accomplishment! The Final Mile event will take place Saturday May 3 rd , 2025 @ the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. $29 entry includes: Runner’s bib, T-shirt, timed race result, & medal! ● Complete Student/Parent contact information for McPherson Run Club HERE

● Final Mile event Registration HERE **Bonus – Student’s training will be a great foundation for those interested in the upcoming Middle School & Elementary Track Meet.

Save the DATE - Spring Pictures for ALL students will be on Friday, March 14.

ELAC Meetings this year are scheduled for September 30, October 28, January 27, and April 28. Meetings review the resources available for all our English learners and ways to help support students in succeeding. All families are invited to attend.

Please join us at 8:15 AM in room 500 for ELAC.

We are excited to offer math tutoring BEFORE school for all middle school students on Thursdays and Fridays (starting September 5). This is a great opportunity for students to get extra help with math assignments, prepare for tests, or simply improve their math skills. No sign-up necessary. These are drop in tutoring sessions.

When: Every Thursday & Friday morning from 7:15am to 8:00am (Starting September 5)

Where: Mr. Castro's Room #107

Who: Any 6th, 7th or 8th grade student

At McPherson, we value a partnership with parents and families and we want you to take an active role in your child's education. We do have an expectation that every family will contribute ten hours of volunteer time every year. There are many ways to volunteer throughout the year but if you intend to volunteer on campus during the year (classroom help, parties, field trips, etc) we must have you complete OUSD's volunteer application. You can complete this now and it will be good for the entire school year. The majority of our campus volunteers will be working 5 hours or less on campus so you will only need to complete the requirements listed under #1 and #2 on the links below. Please call the office if you have any questions regarding the volunteer application process.

English:

https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjY4OmVuLVVT

Spanish:

https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjY4OmVzLVVT

It is always fun to post a special message for your child's birthday. You can purchase Birthday Marquee messages now at - https://mcp-birthday-marquee.cheddarup.com

All birthday marquee messages must be purchased by the Wednesday prior to the week you are requesting.

Our school is participating in BoxTops, which means that you can earn cash with the products you already buy to help our school earn money for classroom supplies. We need your help, collecting Box Tops to earn cash for McPherson. Each one is worth 10¢! Everyone’s participation is helpful. Let's work together to give our students what they need to succeed — and see how much we can earn this year!

If you're new to BoxTops, you can download the app, select McPherson and input referral code C86O5H22 to earn an extra $2.50. Spread the word!

Here's how you can help:

· If you haven't done so already, Download the Box Tops app on your smartphone.

· Buy Box Tops products, Scan your receipt with the Box Tops app within 14 days of purchase and earn for McPherson with every Box Tops product you buy. The earnings through the application are recognized immediately.

· Our school will get a check to spend on classroom supplies. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE STUDENT & TEACHER’S NAME UNDER “GIVE CREDIT MEMO.”

· Refer your friends, family and other parents in the school to sign up for Box Tops. You'll earn Bonus Box Tops for our school when your referral scans their first receipt!

· Turn on notifications in your Box Tops app to get scan reminders and stay updated on special offers, new products and opportunities to earn for our school. Go to your Communications Settings by tapping on the person icon in the upper-right corner of the app.

· If you shop online, you can earn with your digital or email receipt, too.

MCPHERSON MAGNET SCHOOL | School ID: 227368

If you have trouble scanning your receipts, please email Trinh a copy of the receipts immediately.

Thank you for your support of the Box Tops Program and McPherson! We couldn’t do it without you!

Trinh Guevara
Box Tops Coordinator
trinhandcarlo@gmail.com

2/14 & 2/17 - No School - President's Day

2/21 - Family Movie Night

3/12 - PTSA Board Nominations Due

4/18 - College & Career

4/30 - PTSA Board Elections